Several thousand Australian Tamils and non-Tamils are expected to converge at Martin Place from 2pm till 5pm today to participate in ‘Tamil Uprising’, an event that marks the new phase in the Tamils’ struggle for freedom.

The event will symbolise the defiance by the Tamil people to the ongoing racial, cultural and political ethnic genocide thrust upon them by the Sri Lankan state.

“We are a race enslaved by forces of hate, brutality and oppression but we will rise from the ashes,” said Ms. Geetha Mano, an organiser of the event. “The call will also go out to the Government of Australia to intervene and help put an end to the human rights and humanitarian crisis in the island of Sri Lanka,” she further added.

On 19 May 2009 the Government of Sri Lanka reported it had won the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Yet, to date it has denied the UN, ICRC, aid agencies, media and independent monitors unimpeded access to the 300,000 Tamil civilians detained indefinitely in military controlled concentration camps. Furthermore, claims of rape, abduction, torture and starvation have regularly been reported by independent media sources.

Several eminent persons, including Australian Hon. John Dowd, Vice President of the International Commission of Jurists have called for war crimes investigations against the Government of Sri Lanka and for the need for the international community to recognise the legitimate grievances of the Tamil people and their right to self-determination.

The event will comprise of musical performances, dances and speeches by community leaders.

Similar events will take place in other major cities in Australia, as well as around the world.